The people know it is possible to have a better life. That’s why they voted the way they did. What is missing though is their continued belief in themselves as the real repository of political power. I call it the maturing of our democracy. Through that, we will all reap greater dividends. We’ve got the day of the election right but once it’s over, we fold our hands and watch. Suddenly the power we so brutally exercised at the polls deserts us and it all becomes about what someone else can do for us. We are suddenly at the mercy of our elected officials. Well, that’s except for those of us who begin to use “our connections”.

Folks, if we want to have a good government we have to be good citizens. Too many members of the winning party need to stop thinking the government owes them something. All of us must keep in mind the fact that the end of the election means the job of political parties has been accomplished. We now have a new government of Ghana. We shouldn’t be busy selling NPP flags at this point. It’s Ghana flags that should be out there on the streets. Who better to champion this than the President elect himself who has already said he is a President for all. If there was ever an utterance from the President elect that I would hope he does not pay lip service to, it is this one.

Truth be told, too many of us have settled into a mode of thinking only about ourselves, and so we tell those in power what we think they like to hear as long as it brings us some benefit. There are sycophants everywhere. People who know better and should be more involved are also quite happy to remain quiet until election time. Even if it’s not your party that forms the incoming administration, it is in your interest to see that this party succeeds because their failure will be ours too.

One final word: Until we understand that we are all participants in this democracy, we are going nowhere. But I think we are. I’m kinda upbeat!